HDmusicStream: HDtracks New All-MQA Streaming Service

Yes, you read that right. HDtracks, the grandfather of hi-res download sites, will be launching their own streaming service, HDmusicStream, which will feature all MQA-encoded music all the time, later this year.

HDtracks have chosen 7digital to provide app development, host the music catalogue on its platform, and deliver tracks to consumers. Here's Pete Downton, Deputy CEO of 7digital (as reported in StockMarketWire.com):

"We are excited today to be able to confirm our relationship with HDtracks. The Grammy Award-winning label Chesky Records—from HDtracks founders David and Norman Chesky—has, for many years, set the highest standards in high resolution audio.

Their pursuit of excellence will soon be available to audiophile music fans in a streaming service for the first time".

Of course this raises many questions including (but not limited to):

How much

How many

When

Is this the end of the world

AudioStream will be providing answers to these questions, and more, as soon as we get 'em.

I've been waiting a couple years for someone to step in and offer a streaming service with a better interface than Tidal (anyone can make a better interface - I've never been able to shuffle a playlist using their desktop app, for example).

I have no idea but I suspect that it is a lot more than what is available at the moment. Tidal has about 3000 albums in MQA (if you can find them) and Quobuz says they have 70,000 available under their new hi-res streaming tier. The key will be to have a large and diversified library to get people to subscribe to what will surely be a second add on streaming service.